Vicodin withdrawal following tonsillectomy??

[AmieL75]

Hi all, I'm once again calling upon my fellow tonsillectomy victims for advice.
I'm 15 days post-op now. Over the past few days I have been having aches, mostly in my legs-an uncomforable uneasy achy feeling that prevents me from resting...also have had diarrhea and headaches. I've felt very anxious, jittery, depressed, and strange neurological symptoms like "zapping" feeliings when I turn my head to fast etc. I looked up vicodin withdrawal and noticed a pattern of similar symptoms...
I haven't really taken the vicodin very much for the past few days-FINALLY can handle the pain with ibuprofin. I WAS taking the vicodin every four-six hours for a few weeks.
Anyone else have withdrawal symptoms after only a few weeks of using vicodin??? I have decided to try to wean down off of it. Going cold turkey is gonna make me go insane!!!!!
Would appreciate any feedback! Thanks!!!

[Babe70]

Hi there,

I didn't take Vicodin (we don't have that over here) but was taking Voltarol and co-codamol (sophodol) and about five weeks worth of different antibiotics following my tonsillectomy six weeks ago. Then when the Voltarol ran out I was on 400mg Ibuprofen with my sophodol. I too suffered from similar symptoms to you, diaorrhea, headaches and felt generally achy all over like I was permanently coming down with something! I thought that my stomach cramps and diaorrhea were side effects of the antibiotics as I had already weaned myself off of the painkillers by then. But, it could be withdrawal symptoms, especially when you have been taking it for weeks. I wasn't sleeping well either but, have been 'drug' free for a couple of weeks now and feel so much better. I still have a funny feeling in my throat on one side and am still tired but I am sleeping better, no headaches (apart from the odd one that the kids give me!) and no achy feeling. I actually felt well enough to go back to the gym last night - then I ached!!

You must remember that you have had surgery too so all the feelings that you are experiencing are normal. I was told that the older you are the longer it takes for you to recover from tonsillectomy. I got very depressed and the more down i got the worse I felt. Your feelings will improve but it does take time. I am now feeling around 80-85% better six weeks on.

Take care
Babe xx

[jpd39]

You should consider the liquid forms of hydrocodone (Lortab Elixir) and oxycodone (Roxicet). These are the two formulas that were prescribed to me after my surgeries, tonsils and septum.

The liquid tends to absorb more quickly and the pain relief is much quicker. With the liquid, you can regulate your dosage to the milliliter.

I would start with the Roxicet first since Vicodin and Lortab are almost identical. If I took the Lortab too many days in a row, I would get headaches from it. By alternating, the Lortab Elixir and the Roxicet, my pain was relieved and I did not build up a tolerance for either med. Switching up should aleviate some of your current side effects. Of course, speak with your doctor about this.

[Funnygirl2]

Hi I had a tonsillectomy 2 years ago @ age 38. I was put on Fentanyl Lollipops for pain(very addictive and no longer on the market), I went into withdrawal at about 3 weeks...I didn't titrate off them, I just stopped them when they ran out and I was A WRECK!!!! Call your PCP and tell he/she your story they'll give you some meds to help with your symptoms...this is common with these type of pain meds, you'll be OK once your system is cleared out. good luck

[AmieL75]

Thank you much Funnygirl2. I called and made an appt. with my pcp for tomorrow. I am still having panic/anxiety, restlesness, insomnia, crying....it's miserable. I'm not glad to hear that you suffered, but it is comforting to know that I am not the only one. I'm trying to just take 1/2 a pill here and like, like 2xday to take the edge off, but not helping much....again, thanks...